The Backyard Batting Cage

Dr. Robert Yasui

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.

Little League International mourns the passing on Monday of Dr. Robert Yasui, who was the Little League Baseball World Series physician for more than 50 years until his retirement a few years ago.

"Dr. Yasui was an outstanding physician during his many decades of service to Little League and the greater Williamsport community," Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball. "But more than that, Dr. Yasui was a great husband, father, and grandfather, as well as a good and faithful friend to all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Phyllis, and the entire Yasui family."
 
 When a young Robert Yasui was a student at the University of Oregon at the start of World War II, his family was forced to abandon their home and were interned by the U.S. Government at a camp in California. The camp was for Japanese-Americans who had committed no crime, but were interned simply because of their heritage.

 The Yasui family lost most of their belongings, and Robert was expelled from the university.

 But they refused to be bitter.
 
 "It does not do any good to hold a grudge," he said in an interview with Little League International several years ago. "I loved this country then, and I love it now."

 Robert later graduated from the University of Wisconsin, then Temple University Medical School. He served his residency in Williamsport, where he met Phyllis, settled here, and raised their family.

 "All of us at Little League who knew Dr. Yasui are richer for it," Mr. Keener said. "He was a man whose anger would have been justified against those who wronged him and his family. Instead, he showed not only forgiveness, but was a peaceful man who worked tirelessly to make his community and the world a better place."

 

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